Decide on the mediator, then fix the date.

Increasingly our case administrators get the call: “Could we please have so-and-so mediator on such-and-such a date.” Too often the chosen mediator isn’t available and, once the date is set, it’s too tiresome to change it. Of course we then try to find a substitute mediator who is available. But however good the substitute, the parties are not getting their first choice.

We say, choose the mediator first, then ask our case administrators to take the strain of working with the parties to find the date that suits all. It’s what they’re there for.